A timeless treasure
Living Tradition magazine describes Christine’s latest CD album as ‘a collection that showcases one of Scottish Folk Music’s timeless treasures'. A recently published article on Christine can be found on their website here.
A veteran of the folk world, Christine grew up musically in the vibrant Edinburgh scene. Her career has offered her great variety, where she has not only worked solo, with the finest of players (musicians who now feature in top groups including Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin’ Fiddles, Shooglenifty) but also in highly-acclaimed groundbreaking projects- her extensive touring and recording work with Janet Russell; in Chantan with Elspeth Cowie and Corinna Hewat and in Calluna with Charlotte Peterson, Rebecca Knorr and Anna Wendy Stevenson. With Barbara Dymock in Sinsheen, the duo’s debut album “Lift” was produced in 2009 by the late great Michael Marra, to great critical acclaim.
Christine‘s solo work reveals an artiste of empathy, range and passion whether with the fun and energy of a street song or children’s ditty or her fine interpretations of traditional ballad, self-penned and contemporary song.
Christine has shared the stage with fellow singers such as Sheena Wellington, Karen Matheson, Jean Redpath and in various combinations has supported many artistes such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Richard Thompson, while as soloist, artistes she has supported include Capercaille, Guy Clark, Christy Moore and Altan. Now, with many touring recording and performance credits under her belt, she is a singer as respected and loved by fellow musicians as she is by her audiences.
Her work has taken her all over the UK and Europe, to North America, and Russia. 2007 saw her gain an award as Creative Ambassador for Angus, and 2008 ended with a solo performance for the Scottish Government’s launch of Homecoming 2009, singing for Scotland’s First Minister and a celebrity audience. In 2012 and 2018 she was nominated for Scots Singer of the Year at Na Trads. In 2018 she was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with Shift & Change released to excellent all-star reviews, on the Greentrax label in 2019. 2020 sees a Celtic Connections live performance of songs from the CD including all the players- Angus Lyon, Innes Watson, Andy Shanks, Fraser Spiers; and Gillian Frame, who also joins Christine in Edinburgh. Solo, Christine tours folk clubs, Cecil Sharp House and festivals including Sidmouth Folk Festival, see LIVE page for updates.
Listen to Christine in conversation with Fiona Ritchie on NPR music.
SELECTED APPEARANCES
Celtic Connections
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Perthshire Amber
Orkney Folk Festival
Burnsfest
The Carrying Stream Festival
Stonehaven Folk Festival
Edinburgh Folk Festival
Whitby
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Tønder
Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend
Kirriemuir Folk Festival
Border Gathering
Holmfirth Festival
Northlands
Cambridge Folk Festival club stage
True North |
CONCERT & CD REVIEWS
‘SHIFT AND CHANGE’ CD REVIEWS
The power of her singing …..stately and measured….unspools in a suspended cameo of heartbreak...faintly echoing traveller singer Lucy Stewart.
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THE SCOTSMAN, February 2019
I looked forward to this record, and it didn’t disappoint. The brilliant Christine Kydd has been kept busy of late, with yet another project, this time materialising as a solo album titled Shift And Change: Songs from Scotland. It is as an eclectic a collection as ever, made up of traditional pieces, original writings and takes on the work of contemporary artists.
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FOLKING, Christopher James Sheridan
This is a collection that showcases one of Scottish folk music’s timeless treasures, who can tackle a variety of sources with confidence and aplomb. My favourite new album of the year so far- and I don’t expect to hear better.
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LIVING TRADITION, Grem Devlin
In a wide variety of fine performances there is love, clearly, in her way with two traditional songs The Back of Reres Hill and Braes o Balqhidder, ranging through settings of poems by Violet Jacob to Scots songwriters like Alistair Hulett, Alison McMorland and the the album’s opening track which is also the finest, a lovely interpretation of that beautiful song Just Another Rolling Stone one of the magnificent compositions of Michael Marra..
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AROUND KENT FOLK, Vic Smith
‘DARK PEARLS’ CD REVIEWS
A beautiful recording, alternately chilling and cheery, well balanced, exquisitely sung and altogether enjoyable.
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LIVING TRADITION
CONCERT REVIEWS
Magical and uplifting-the atmosphere was electric!
Fan feedback, Celtic Connections 2020
(Christine and Shift & Change All-Star crew)
It was an excellent night which was enjoyed by all, and you know you would be very welcome to come back any time
Gifford Lind, Dunfermline Folk Club 2015
The songs she loves are, in the main Scots Folk, ancient and modern with more than a passing nod to Burns. You’ll catch Mary Chapin Carpenter and Springsteen in her sets but her respect for the tradition remains undying, with energy and zest levels as high as her style is faultless. Christine Kydd is relevant – you need to see and hear her.
Clive Pownceby, Bothy Folksong Club, Southport 2012
That song is regaining its popularity after years of instrumental dominance can be nothing but a good thing, and Sylvia Barnes, Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Christine Kydd, Mike Heron, Stanley Robertson and Billy Joe Shaver are some of the great stylists appearing…
Norman Chalmers, The List
The Battlefield Band’s Alan Reid on “Kellyburn Braes,” Christine Kydd on “The Slave’s Lament,” and Old Blind Dogs’ Ian F. Benzie on “What Can a Young Lassie Do Wi an Auld Man” round out this album’s highlights
Dirty Linen
Just got my copy of the Smithsonian Folkways cd, Scotland the Real, at the radio station yesterday. Thrilled to find your vocal with Chantan doing “Slave’s Lament” included on the set. It’s my favorite cut on this cd. I hope it brings even more people to an appreciation of your music
Mike Luster, Louisiana Folklife Festival
SONG REVIEWS
…Kydd’s fine singing, and some of her own compositions, like ‘Coming on Strong’ and ‘What is it that we’ve just done?’ were particular strengths
Kenny Kemp, THE SCOTSMAN
Christine Kydd’s own songs are truly beautiful and well written. I have always liked her singing, but I think her own songs are her true forte. When I first heard her singing them in her own house, playing piano, I thought they were stunning and very moving. I hope she brings out a CD soon
Maureen Jelks, singer
honest-to-goodness poetry, straight from the heart, poignant and fragile, beautifully set and beautifully sung
Tom Clelland, singer songwriter